Dussehra Bonus for Railway employees: Union Cabinet approves 78-day Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)

Ahead of Dussehra on October 20, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, approved payment of PLB of 78 days for ₹2009.61 crore to 11,40,770 railway employees. The bonus is being provided in recognition of the "excellent performance by the Railway staff," according to a Cabinet release.

The payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Durga Puja/Dusshera holidays. This year also, PLB amount equivalent to 78 days' wages is being paid to about 11.40 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees.

The release said, "The payment of PLB acts as an incentive to motivate the railway employees for working towards improvement in the performance of the Railways. "

Addressing mediapersons in Delhi, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Three very important decisions were taken by the Cabinet today. The first decision was to approve a 78-day performance-linked bonus for approximately 11,40,770 railway employees. This bonus is a Diwali gift for the hardworking railway employees who work tirelessly day and night. While we celebrate festivals with our families, these employees continue to work in the field, on railway tracks, inside locomotives and in workshops, putting in their best efforts around the clock. The total bonus amount is approximately ₹2,009 crore.”

How much amount is paid as PLB?

The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is ₹17,951 for 78 days. This amount will be paid to various categories, of Railway staff like Track maintainers, Loco Pilots, Train Managers (Guards), Station Masters, Supervisors, Technicians, Technician Helpers, Pointsman, Ministerial staff and other Group 'C staff.

The performance of Railways in the year 2025-26 was very good. Railways loaded a record cargo of 1670 Million Tonnes and carried nearly 7.41 Billion Passengers.